SchoolFamily Voices

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Over Parenting, Helicopter Parent -- Sound Familiar?

Just came across this amusing article titled, "Are you a Helicopter Parent?" Well actually, it was amusing and troubling all at once. If you spend any time on this site, you know that we are all about parent involvement. But, there comes a point where parent involvement crosses the line to over parenting. This recent article talks about the disconcerting trend of helicopter parenting.

"It’s a parenting pattern whose tentacles reach all income levels, all races and ethnicities, says Patricia Somers of the University of Texas at Austin, who spent more than a year studying parents."

We all want our kids to succeed in school, excel in sports, drama, or some extra-curricular activity, form good friendships and get into a good college, right? When parents do everything in their power to make sure that these things happen they are, in fact, doing their kids a disservice. Why? It robs kids of the chance to take risks, make mistakes -- just plain figure it out on their own.

"... parents need to understand making mistakes actually can build self-esteem.“It’s most important for parents to realize it’s OK for kids to fail if that teaches them how to do things better the next time around,” he said.“That’s one of the common threads for geniuses in the world. They had some major failure in their lives before realizing their geniuses.”

So, are you sitting here reading this post saying, "Hmmm, I wonder if I AM a helicopter parent?" Take our helicopter parent quiz and find out. Think you'll get some really good insight by taking a few minutes to take this quick, online quiz.

Let us know how you did. What are your thoughts on helicopter parenting?